For months now, reports have had the Louisville Cardinals as the Big 12's next target in the event that the Big 12 indeed makes a move for 12 football schools. The Cards tried to swipe the West Virginia Mountaineers' invite, in fact. Now, with the Florida St. Seminoles and Clemson Tigers emerging as widely hypothesized potential additions to the Big 12, Louisville could be in good shape to get what it reportedly wants: out of the Big East.
Conference Realignment: Louisville Wants Either Big 12 Or ACC, According To Report
Andy Katz reports Louisville is making no secrets of its desire to land in either the ACC or the Big 12, meaning a move by the Big 12 into ACC territory could be an all-but guaranteed win for the Cards. Either they could accompany FSU into the Big 12, or they could help shore up football losses in the ACC. Again, all totally scenarios and war-planning, but this could shape up nicely for UL.
The fact that Louisville would prefer to get out of the Big East isn’t exactly news. The play they made last fall to try and woo the Big 12 spoke pretty loudly. Tom Jurich being completely up front about that desire, however, is news.
For months, Jurich has made statements along the lines of “we’re in the Big East and will do whatever we can to strengthen the Big East going forward, but of course we’re still going to keep all of our options open.” This was essentially a lengthy euphemism for, “if someone asks, we’re bouncing.”
Now, with U of L ally John Marinatto having been forced out, there’s no reason for Louisville to be polite.
For more on Cardinals football, visit Louisville blog Card Chronicle, plus Big East blog Big East Coast Bias and SB Nation Indiana.
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